Sarah Shortle, Caoimhe Twomey and Clare O'Grady, who are students in Loreto Wexford, received the Psychological Society of Ireland's (PSI) Intermediate Award for Social and Behavioural Sciences. With their project, the girls investigated the impact of cognitive functioning before and after low intensity physical activity for teenage girls. They also were Highly Commended in the group section of the Social and Behavioral Science category.

FCJ Bunclody also took part in the event, with two projects on display on the RDS. Ilsa Flynn, Róisín Ó Muirí and Bridget Gainford displayed 'Study the Right Way' which used the 'circadian rhythm' to determine the apt time for studying and how to get the most out of a study session. A neck saver aimed at helping farmers and 'preventing major accidents on the roads' was the second project, submitted by Peter Kelly.

Loreto and FCJ Bunclody were the only schools in the county to exhibit at last week's event, Principal of Loreto Billy O'Shea said that the reason for their participation was simple.

'We had a group who came forward with an idea to a teacher who was interested in supporting them. It was as simple as that,' he said.

'However, it has to be born in mind that it needs to come primarily from the students. They have to come up with ideas and put the work in.'

Though Mr O'Shea has noticed Wexford's low level of participation, he said it is hard to know why this is the trend.

'I suppose there's a huge amount of work involved in it. I wonder if that is a disincentive for some.'